The Field & Fork Network, a local nonprofit, has announced the expansion this farmers market season of the Double Up Food Bucks WNY incentive, which was designed to promote healthier food choices for low-income families while boosting the bottom line for local farmers.

Families who use food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can double their money through Oct. 31 at 15 participating farm markets – more than twice the number of markets involved in a pilot program for part of last growing season.

Double Up Food Bucks WNY provides a $1 for $1 match – up to $20 per market visit per day – for anyone who chooses to spend their SNAP dollars at a participating farmers market on state-grown fruits and vegetables.

The network teamed up with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Harvest NY program in last season’s pilot effort, and participating farm markets said SNAP purchases more than double and overall food assistance purchases more than triple. More than 1,000 new SNAP customers came out to the markets to shop during the 16-week pilot.

More than 70 percent of participating farmers surveyed said they were making more money and 62 percent of farmers reported having a new customer base as a result of the program, said Lisa Tucker, co-founder and executive director of Field & Fork Network.

“We feel fortunate to bring a program like Double Up Food Bucks to WNY where there is a need for greater access to fresh, affordable foods in many of our urban and rural communities,” Tucker said in a news release. “And the redirection of federal food assistance dollars into our local food and agriculture economy and into the hands of our local farmers is a bonus.”